USA
April 24th, 2007 - James River loses to Richmond
James River played a tough match that reached far beyond the bounds of the pitch Friday night against cross town rivals Richmond. With several players missing, including some to be with Jonathan Leach for support during Mary's emergency surgery, 'River stood tall on a hard night.
The evening opened with a moment of silence and bagpipes for our fallen friend Dane Cauthorn. Also with the sadness that another close to our heart was fighting to save her own life.
Being able to play rugby is a privilege and an honor to be on the pitch working with your mates. Win or lose, it is still a privilege.
Those that played, played strong and fought a tough match. River has been scarred emotionally in recent weeks and it was great to see a squad take the field Friday night against all adversity.
Despite River’s best efforts and poise they were unable to put together a match against Richmond. River suffered a disappointing loss 12-50.
March 31st, 2007 - James River loses in a one point match to Western Suburbs
Western Suburbs traveled well and played a strong match against a still growing James River side. The match started off pretty static and each side countered with great breaks and great defense to keep play in the middle of the pitch.
Suburbs would win the first surge and open the game with the first try about ten minutes in to give them a 0-7 lead. River would soon respond on a 10M penalty play with great pod runs to disrupt the Suburbs defensive strategy. Greg Wood took the ball in making a few would be tacklers miss before driving the last into the try zone for River’s first score, conversion Balazik, bringing the game to a 7-7 tie. Just before the close of the first half Suburbs would slot a penalty kick to regain the lead 7-10 at half.
Early in the second half Suburbs broke away on the outside for an early second half score, the match now 7-17. River would soon respond and gain control of the match.
River continued it’s drive and ball retention through out the second half until Matt Balazik exploited Suburbs backline openings to break though for River’s second try, conversion – Balazik, bringing the match to 14-17 Suburbs. River would continue to maintain control of the match in the second half as Billy Wallace subbed in and broke away from a 10M scrum to score for James River, no conversion. James River now led the match 19-17.
With the lead, River was called for a penalty with less than five minutes to go. Suburbs elected for points and slotted the kick to take the lead back 19-20. James River would have its chances in the remaining few minutes, but got called for two penalties deep in Suburbs 22 to force unnecessary turnovers.
Man-of-the-Match: Greg Wood
March 24th, 2007 - James River goes 1 - 2 at the Danville Rugger Roast.
Game 1 v. Guilford
River was slow to come out of the gates and control the tempo of the game and gave up an early penalty within our 22m to allow Guilford to take the lead 0-3 only a few minutes into the match. It would be a while before River would gain control and retain possession of the ball to mount some impressive breaks and drives. Just before the close of the first half Brian Floyd broke free from two or three would be tacklers to secure our first try of the match, no conversion, to bring the half to a close 5-3.
River would turn up the heat and pressure as we began our downhill half. Early in the half, Matt Balazik took a quick tap at mid-field to an unsuspecting Guilford side and went the distance for the score, conversion – Benner. The match was now moving at Rivers pace as we took a 12-3 lead. Driving inside Guilford’s 22m a quick decision on a broken play, Matt Balazik dove in for another score, no conversion to open our lead 17-3. Towards to close of the second half on a 5m line-out, Adam Floyd made a quick decision to take a stolen line-out back inside the 5m line to score in the corner, no conversion. This closed the match at 24-3 River.
Game 2 v. Roanoke
A wise man once told me “…that anyone (a ref in particular) who puts down a sandwich before and during half can only keep their pants up, not keep up with the game.” This certainly hurt River in the first half as we were buried deep by bad calls that even Roanoke conceded. Nevertheless, we got off to a slow start again and were forced to play catch up the entire match.
The first half closed with a 7-17 lead by Roanoke following a breakaway by Matt Balazik, conversion – Benner. The second half was more in our favor than the first, but Roanoke played some great defense to stifle our attacks. Following another horrific call by the ref that Luke Quinlin knocked the ball on in in-goal, Roanoke was awarded a 5m scrum that was spun resulting in Patrick Benner stealing ball from the base of the scrum to dive in-goal for the score, no conversion. The match closed with a disappointing 12-24 loss.
Game 3 v. Blackwater
Defeated, dehydrated, and wounded River was forced to play a back to back match with no rest against a growing, improving Blackwater side. River essentially conceded this match despite our best efforts to stay in the game with the half ending 0-28 to Blackwater. The second half didn’t fare much better, although Jason Smith fed Ed Solarz on a penalty inside Blackwater’s 22m that resulted in River’s only score of the match, no conversion. Final 5-47 to Blackwater.
Despite a rough weekend, there is growth amongst the team. Set pieces and positions are starting to gel and new players and beginning to understand the nuances of the game. This is a growing/learning season and we are doing it as a club. We all must grow and learn from each match, practice, and drill. No one is better than the next and no one is worse than another. There is some real camaraderie building on the club and in time this camaraderie will turn to understanding and knowing which will lead to better performances by all.
I will leave you with this quote:
"He is wounded, but not slain. He'll lay him down, and bleed awhile, then rise to fight again."
March 10th, 2007 - James River traveling light loses to Winchester.
A slow start dug us in deep early and forced us to play catch-up the entire match. Two weeks in a row now River has come out not ready for the offensive front of our opponents. Winchester struck early (although knocked on in in-goal) and went ahead 0-7. Winchester took advantage once again to an ungelled side that was still getting used to field positions, etc. and opened the first eight minutes with a 0-12 lead.
The match would soon settle and River would begin to gain control of the scrums and pace of the game after playing on our heels for the first twenty. River started to exploit the weaknesses of Winchester in the backline and great backline play with great support and overlap with Jonathan Leach and Bill Kogut broke Matt Balazik free for River's first try of the match (conversion - Benner). The match was now 7-12 Winchester and that is how the half would come to a close.
Will Thornton came in at the fullback position, allowing River to re-adjust our back line attack and take full advantage of Winchester's obvious weekness. However, River would be slow to get settled and was quickly shocked as Winchester put away a quick try to open the half opening their lead to 7-19.
Once again River would settle the pace and took control of scrums and all line-outs. Will Thornton broke through the Winchester defence due to great passing to widen the gap as Will broke for 40 metres for River's second score of the match (conversion - Benner). Injuries would soon cause River some problems and caused to ask for open substitutions. This again created confusion in the River defence as players were shuffled to fill in gaps and new roles. Within minutes Winchester would capatalize on breaks in communication in River's defence and put away another try to increase their lead again by seven bringing the match to 14-24.
With just over five minutes remaining in the match, River turned up the attack again and Will Thornton broke through the backline causing tacklers to miss as he galloped for another 40+ metre try (conversion - Balazik). However, there would not be enough time as Winchester wisely placed the ball into touch a few times to burn the clock leaving the match at 21-24 to Winchester.
March 3rd, 2007 - James River hosts two, in opener but loses both.
Coming out flat early and ending flat made all the difference in this match. VA came out early and capitalized on two break downs early in the match to spread the game open 0-14. James River would soon regain their footing and ground as they methodically moved the ball down the pitch. VA game up a penalty on their 10 metre line and Jonathan Leach ran off a quick tap and put it in for try (no conversion) bringing the match closer 5-14 to VA. River would again maintain control of the ball and march it down the field as Shade Wilson would take a quick tap inside the 10metre line and offload to a driving Will Thornton for River's second try of the match (conversion failed). 10-14 VA. VA and River would return advances for the remainder of the first half with neither able to capitalize. VA would soon receive a penalty within range to open their lead to 10-17 just before the half. Within in the first few minutes of the second half River would strike again. This time Shade Wilson would keep the quick tap and dove across the try line for River's third score of the match (no conversion). Bringing the match closer 15-17 to VA. Virginia had a quick answer on a defensive breakdown making the match now 15-24 VA. The question answer portion of the game would now commence...River turned it up and drove the ball down the field once again and was awarded a pentaly inside VA 10 metre line. Ted Dinch would take it alone across the line for River's fourth try (no conversion) and brought the match within reach 20-24. VA would quickly respond, again off of openings in the defense and missed tackles. The match was now 20-29 to VA. River would again answer. Despite a pour restart kick, River stole the scrum center and Matt Balazik to a tight crash ball 50 metres for a playbook score (conversion - Benner). This now brought River within 2 leaving the match 27-29 to VA. No more that eight minutes remained in the game and unfortunately River could not respond and VA put away two more scores to close the game with a 27-41 final in favor of VA. Hat's off to the 'old' boys (Shade, Ted, Will, Jonathan?) that put on a try scoring show this weekend. Man-of-the-Match: Eric Holland B-side game v. Roanoke River and VA put in a motley side against Roanoke. A lot of rookies got their first real run onthe pitch and were inmpressive. It was good to see the club begin to show depth in certain positions and new life in others. Good show by all, but unfortunately Roanoke's A-side gelled well enough to pull out a 19-12 victory over the mixed team of River and VA.
December 2, 2006 - Christmas 7s match reports
Game One vs. VCU Old Boys/Alumni (win 26-0)
In the early match (9am) we took on the VCU alumni/old boys. What a wake up and stretching opportunity this would be. The first seven “kitted” and on the pitch would play the first match. The first half ended with a 12-0 lead to River as Patrick Benner (conversion – Benner) and Matt Utter (no conversion) put away tries against an even more tired and unready River squad. The second half was a little more fluid, but still rough around the edges as Patrick Benner (conversion – Benner) put away another try thanks to Matt Utter’s effort to carry the ball the entire pitch only to be horse collared and rejected from crossing the try line. Matt Balazik (conversion – Balazik) put away another try to close the game.
Game Two vs. W&M (win 12-7)
In our second match our bodies had yet to wake up and a youthful William and Mary side nearly gave it to us. At half the Tribe was up 7-5. In the first half Matt Balazik (no conversion) broke away for our only score to start the game off. This match turned into a quick tackle game with little room to run. In the second half things didn’t get much better, but Will Thornton (conversion – Benner), showing his youthful legs, took a break away 40+ meters to the promise land past many would be tacklers that just couldn’t catch this speedy young lad. The Tribe was great at recycling and never seemed to slow down. We were grateful the second half only lasted 7 minutes.
Game Three vs. Longwood (win 35-5)
Finishing at the top of open/divisional play we entered the round of bracket play against another young quick Longwood squad. We were the worst after our showing with W&M. However, we proved to be the stronger team and the support play was outstanding. Billy Wallace broke away early for the games first score and Matt Balazik showed his speed…not one, not twice, but thrice as he accomplished the hatric in the first half of play. Outstanding showing Balazik! First half ended with a 28-0 River lead. Todd Shoaf (that’s right…Shoaf), Frank, and Will Thornton came in at half to keep up the solid play. Will Thornton broke away again in the second half…must be when he warms up…for another try to close the match with a 35-5 victory. Conversions – Benner (5/5)
Game Four (Semi-finals) vs. Virginia Tech 1 (Loss 14-19 in sudden death)
Who allowed all these young college guys to this tournament anyways?!? As the day went on our fatigue began to sit in and a more youthful side took advantage of our weakness (age, fitness, weight, etc.) to take the game in sudden death. In the first half we opened it up 14-0 with two quick scores by Billy Wallace (conversion – Benner) and Matt Balazik (conversion – Benner). Tech then had us on our heals late in the first as they broke away for a try at the end of regulation play in the first to close the gap 14-7. River spent the second half playing A LOT of defense against Tech, but held them to only one score despite some questionable officiating. At the end of regulation Benner placed a kick through the VT defense into the try zone, but could not hold off a would be defender who landed on the ball for a 22 drop to end regulation. I guess my legs aren’t what they used to be. Early in Sudden Death, Tech broke away on the outside and despite a great sweeping defensive stance (Balazik) their support was too much.
Game Five (3rd/4th Match) vs. Virginia Tech 2 (Loss 7-36)
“…best spectator appropriate sevens games I have ever seen!” (random guy watching our last match)
The line up was amazing! As our side clearly put the youthful Tech side in our shadows (you know what I mean). This was a game full of entertainment. (I also believe our BAC was much higher at this point in the afternoon.) Although Tech broke the first half wide open 26-0 Rudy Miller showed some prowess and speed on defense. Late in the second half as River was driving Tech committed a costly penalty ten meters from the try line. George Durocher, seeing an opening, took a quick tap and drove through Tech’s defensive stance (version 1)…or…as the ref was instructing Tech to retreat to the try line George (unknowingly to the Tech defense) took a quick tap with the phantom stiff arm to a defender 5 meters away pranced into the try zone and before he knew it touched the ball down unscaved (version 2). Now only one question remained…who would slot the conversion? With out hesitation Jim “Big Jim” Sitzler stepped for the drop goal and slotted the kick with ease, just not perfect form.
October 28, 2006 - James River falls at league leading Severn River.
Traveling with only 15 players was hardly a good start to the final league match of the fall. Still despite the less than ideal setup, 'River started the match with good pressure and strong play. Unfortuantely this lasted for only the first 15 minutes of the match till old habits of missed tackles in the open resurfaced to lead to an uneven defeat.
This season has been a building one in a new division, and all things need to be kept in perspective. To grow from here, the club will need to pull together and focus on goals one step as a time.
October 21, 2006 - James River start well against the Washington Irish, only to allow defensive mistakes to bring them down.
With a very good start 'River took the kick off and drove to an opening try. However, defensive mistakes in the open field again weighed down the solid efforts upfront to bring defeat to James River.
October 14, 2006 - James River loses at home to Raleigh
A disappointing result in which defensive lapses lead to a one sided score line. Congratulations to Raleigh, they played the game well, and took full advantage throughout of gaps and overloads.
October 7, 2006 - James River beats Rocky Gorge RFC 18-11 with solid second half defensive effort.
After taking a lead into the second half, James River had to dig deep defensively to hold off a strong effort from Rocky Gorge. The game played in driving rain, featured numerous handling error, but also several period of intense defensive pressure on the Rocky Gorge backline by James River. A good effort, and a good win for the club to even it's league record to 2 Wins and 2 Losses.
September 30, 2006 - James River loses on the road to Norfolk.
With defensive holes badly exposed, James River lost to Norfolk RFC 5-84. The game wasn't a complete washout, as the errors were more mental than physical and can be corrected. Still this is a good wakeup call for the level of commitment needed to be successful in Division II.
September 16, 2006 - James River opens at home with two wins over the Richmond Lions
'River opened with two solid victories over cross town rival the Richmond Lions. In two solid victories James River showed solid forward play setting a platform to launch the backline. The A Side won 26 -18, while the B Side finished with a 21-14 victory.
Good play was turned in across the board.
James River RFC
P.O. Box 185
Hanover, VA 23069
USA
804-467-9744
